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From an idle argument flowing back and forth at work ...
What are the best and worst TV theme tunes from history?
The rules are:
1) They have to be memorable. A tune can be bad because it is purely boring, but that doesn't count. I cannot remember the theme to Dynasty, but I am pretty sure I thought it was crap at the time. But it's disqualified (in my book, others may remember it). Chances are, if you can remember it then it is either notably good or notably bad.
2) It has to be composed for the program. Del Shannon's "Runaway" is a great song, used as the theme to Crime Story, but it doesn't count. Likewise the theme to Heartbeat.
My nominations:
Among the best:
The Prisoner (clear winner)
Hawaii 5-oh (but only if you are watching them paddling at the time)
Edge of Darkness (well, written by Clapton had to be quality)
Almost rans:
Mission Impossible (not the bastardised film version)
A Man called Ironside.
Dr Who (well, I liked it as a kid)
Among the worst:
Starski and Hutch
The A Team
Eastenders
(may get around to adding some more later)
Of course unless the program has been sold around the world it may not be familiar to many.
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TV theme tunes The best and the worst of the memorable
#1
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Posted 2006-July-27, 17:40
Psych (pron. saik): A gross and deliberate misstatement of honour strength and/or suit length. Expressly permitted under Law 73E but forbidden contrary to that law by Acol club tourneys.
Psyche (pron. sahy-kee): The human soul, spirit or mind (derived, personification thereof, beloved of Eros, Greek myth).
Masterminding (pron. m
s
t
r-m
nd
ing) tr. v. - Any bid made by bridge player with which partner disagrees.
"Gentlemen, when the barrage lifts." 9th battalion, King's own Yorkshire light infantry,
2000 years earlier: "morituri te salutant"
"I will be with you, whatever". Blair to Bush, precursor to invasion of Iraq
Psyche (pron. sahy-kee): The human soul, spirit or mind (derived, personification thereof, beloved of Eros, Greek myth).
Masterminding (pron. m
str-mnding) tr. v. - Any bid made by bridge player with which partner disagrees."Gentlemen, when the barrage lifts." 9th battalion, King's own Yorkshire light infantry,
2000 years earlier: "morituri te salutant"
"I will be with you, whatever". Blair to Bush, precursor to invasion of Iraq
#2
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Posted 2006-July-27, 18:21
Perry Mason and Bonanza come to mind! Of course I love the Avengers.
Twilight Zone anyone? Oh and of course Hey Hey we are the Monkees! singing it now!
Miami Vice great opening montage and music.
The worst..well the Brady Bunch really sucks.
Twilight Zone anyone? Oh and of course Hey Hey we are the Monkees! singing it now!
Miami Vice great opening montage and music.
The worst..well the Brady Bunch really sucks.
#3
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Posted 2006-July-27, 18:34
The theme from Twin Peaks belongs on the list somewhere. I agree, Brady Bunch theme song is the worst 
)
)
#4
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Posted 2006-July-27, 22:36
Best
Theme from:
1) Peter Gunn.
2) Rawhide
3) The Carol Burnett Show
Worst
Theme from:
1) The Brady Bunch
2) The Andy Giffith Show
3) I Dream of Jeannie
Theme from:
1) Peter Gunn.
2) Rawhide
3) The Carol Burnett Show
Worst
Theme from:
1) The Brady Bunch
2) The Andy Giffith Show
3) I Dream of Jeannie
"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." Black Lives Matter. / "I need ammunition, not a ride." Zelensky
#5
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Posted 2006-July-28, 01:45
I must object...2 and 3 are just fine....andy and jeannie in fact they are cool!
#6
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Posted 2006-July-28, 06:25
mike777, on Jul 28 2006, 02:45 AM, said:
I must object...2 and 3 are just fine....andy and jeannie in fact they are cool!
Just for you Mike:
1) The Brady Bunch
2) Gilligan's Island
3) The Monkees
"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." Black Lives Matter. / "I need ammunition, not a ride." Zelensky
#7
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Posted 2006-July-28, 11:36
I have a very poor memory of such tunes, but if I ask Teddy (a 4 year old cross between a Havanese, a toy poodle and a cavalier spaniel) 1st place has to go to any of the Law and Order shows... the original and all the spin-offs other than the short-lived Jury show.
His ears perk up, his tail wags and then he embarks upon a series of howls... up to 10 howls during the opening segment... it is literally the only time he ever howls.
His ears perk up, his tail wags and then he embarks upon a series of howls... up to 10 howls during the opening segment... it is literally the only time he ever howls.
'one of the great markers of the advance of human kindness is the howls you will hear from the Men of God' Johann Hari
#8
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Posted 2006-July-28, 14:05
Best:
Hill Street Blues
The Archies
Mission Impossible
Close:
Gilligan's Island
The Banana Splits Show
Soap
Hill Street Blues
The Archies
Mission Impossible
Close:
Gilligan's Island
The Banana Splits Show
Soap
#9
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Posted 2006-July-28, 15:25
best:
rawhide (far and away the best, to me)
star trek
the beverly hillbillies
worst:
can't think of any.. even the bad ones were ok
rawhide (far and away the best, to me)
star trek
the beverly hillbillies
worst:
can't think of any.. even the bad ones were ok
"Paul Krugman is a stupid person's idea of what a smart person sounds like." Newt Gingrich (paraphrased)
#10
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Posted 2006-July-28, 22:15
The Dukes of Hazard
The Greatest American Hero
The Greatest American Hero
#11
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Posted 2006-July-29, 05:59
I always thought that "China Beach" had a very powerful opening seqence...
These days, I'd have to go with Veronica Mars
I'm going to make a weird choice for worst: "Mash"
The song "Suicide is Painless" from the movie is so definitive in my mind that the TV version is quite annoying
These days, I'd have to go with Veronica Mars
I'm going to make a weird choice for worst: "Mash"
The song "Suicide is Painless" from the movie is so definitive in my mind that the TV version is quite annoying
Alderaan delenda est
#12
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Posted 2006-July-29, 11:36
hrothgar, on Jul 29 2006, 03:59 AM, said:
I always thought that "China Beach" had a very powerful opening seqence...
These days, I'd have to go with Veronica Mars
These days, I'd have to go with Veronica Mars
I love the VM theme song! Adam hates it.
It wasn't written for VM, though.
My addiction to Mario Bros #3 has come back!
#13
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Posted 2006-August-01, 07:07
Miami Vice
Car 54 Where Are You
Bonanza
Get Smart
Twilight Zone
Car 54 Where Are You
Bonanza
Get Smart
Twilight Zone
#14
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Posted 2006-August-04, 09:43
Crime Story's "Runaway" by Del Shannon
The Grand Design, reflected in the face of Chaos...it's a fluke!
#15
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Posted 2006-August-04, 15:39
Secret Agent Man by Johnny Rivers.
See the Prisoner before the Prisoner show
See the Prisoner before the Prisoner show
#16
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Posted 2006-August-12, 06:13
Well, I never heard of The Brady Bunch before reading this thread, but given the number of votes I had to check out the theme on Audiosparx.com.
Now I have a new ringtone!
Now I have a new ringtone!
Psych (pron. saik): A gross and deliberate misstatement of honour strength and/or suit length. Expressly permitted under Law 73E but forbidden contrary to that law by Acol club tourneys.
Psyche (pron. sahy-kee): The human soul, spirit or mind (derived, personification thereof, beloved of Eros, Greek myth).
Masterminding (pron. mstr-mnding) tr. v. - Any bid made by bridge player with which partner disagrees.
"Gentlemen, when the barrage lifts." 9th battalion, King's own Yorkshire light infantry,
2000 years earlier: "morituri te salutant"
"I will be with you, whatever". Blair to Bush, precursor to invasion of Iraq
Psyche (pron. sahy-kee): The human soul, spirit or mind (derived, personification thereof, beloved of Eros, Greek myth).
Masterminding (pron. m
str-mnding) tr. v. - Any bid made by bridge player with which partner disagrees."Gentlemen, when the barrage lifts." 9th battalion, King's own Yorkshire light infantry,
2000 years earlier: "morituri te salutant"
"I will be with you, whatever". Blair to Bush, precursor to invasion of Iraq
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